Zona Romantica, Puerto Vallarta’s Welcoming Gay District

PHOTO: One of the many shops and cafes in ‘Zona Romantica’ in Puerto Vallarta. (photo via Flickr/Wonderlane)

There are few locations in Latin America that can legitimately claim to offer a true gay village—which makes Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica a notable standout.

As you can probably guess, the Mexican city’s area means “romantic zone” or “district of romance,” and that signifies it is a place for romance to be enjoyed by everyone.

This is an equal-opportunity romance zone, and local residents and businesses take pride in being inclusive and supportive of everyone, including the LGBT community. This section of town is home to many hotels, restaurants and other attractions that are owned and/or managed by those in the LGBT community, and these and other local hotspots make it a priority to express their support of LGBT residents and visitors.

This welcoming stance may not be surprising, given the community’s proud affiliations and memberships related to organizations such as the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. The local business community is also openly supportive of groups such as GLAAD, HMI and the GMHC.

A Standout Among LGBT Destinations

Puerto Vallarta has established itself as one of the most LGBT-welcoming destinations in all of Mexico. Recently, it has also become a popular wedding destination for LGBT couples. In fact, several of the city’s resorts have officially united hundreds of same-sex couples just in the past year or so. Of course, all couples can appreciate the town’s beautiful scenery, welcoming atmosphere and gorgeous views that make the perfect setting for quiet romantic moments.

While romance is alive and well in Puerto Vallarta, the city also supports the LGBT community in other ways. The town recently played host to the International LGBT Business Expo, attracting professionals and business leaders from all over Latin America. This spring’s Vallarta Pride event spanned five days that were packed full of parties, festivals and other events.

Win a Dream Trip

It would be great to get the opportunity to check out Puerto Vallarta and experience all of its LGBT-friendly attractions—but even better if you can do that with someone else footing the bill. That thrill could be yours if you are the lucky winner of the #LoveInVallarta sweepstakes. This promotion offers the chance to win a 4-day stay in a top property in the area.

Puerto Vallarta has a wide range of attractions and natural features that will appeal to anyone seeking a dream vacation in a sunny, beautiful location. The beaches are at the top of the list. Be sure to check out Playa Los Muertos (translated to Dead Men’s Beach, as a nod to the pirate raids that local legend claims used to happen in nearby villages). The spacious boardwalk is also a big draw, as it is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a tour of many of the most popular attractions in town.

While you are strolling around town, you will encounter a wide assortment of landmarks, attractions, great places in which to feast on authentic local cuisine and plenty of shops where you can pick up unique treasures created by local craftsmen.

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